Effect of Prostaglandin F2alpha on the Production of Nitric Oxide in Cultured Ciliary Muscle Cells

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate whether prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) affects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) in cultured ciliary muscle (CM) cells. METHODS: Following primary culture of CM cells from porcine eyes, the cells were exposed to PGF2alpha (PhXA85, latanoprost free acid) with and without pretreatments of NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME, N omega- Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) and cyclooxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin and dexamethasone) for 3 days. The cellular survivals were also evaluated in serum-deprived and hypoxic conditions induced by sodium cyanide. The cellular survival and nitrite production were assessed by MTT and Griess assay, respectively. RESULTS: PGF2alpha enhanced the production of NO significantly in cultured CM cells in a dose-dependent manner, while various inhibitors abolished this effect. PGF2alpha was not cytoprotective in serum-deprived and hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The current results suggest that PGF2alpha potentiates NO production but is not cytoprotective in CM cells. This PGF2alpha-induced NO production in CM cells may be involved in the regulation of uveoscleral outflow.